Ducati Monster 900 S Review

Used Buyer Review

The Monster 900S is genuinely one of the most characterful bikes you can buy used, but you need to go in with eyes open. That air-cooled 904cc V-twin is raw, torquey, and sounds absolutely savage — it'll pull hard from 3,000rpm and never let you forget it's Italian. The S model adds Showa forks, a rear monoshock upgrade, and Marchesini wheels, which transform the handling compared to the standard 900. It's genuinely good fun on B-roads. Here's the reality check though: these bikes are old now, and neglected examples are everywhere. Check the bevel service history obsessively — desmo valve clearances are non-negotiable and expensive if skipped. Electrical gremlins, oil weeping from the engine cases, and tired suspension are common on high-mileage examples. Budget at least $500-800 annually for maintenance from a specialist. Find a bike with documented Ducati servicing and you'll have something genuinely special. Find a barn find nightmare and you'll fund someone else's holiday.